By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Osun State Government has accused the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) of spreading misinformation following allegations by the group's Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, that Governor Ademola Adeleke was marginalising Muslims in his administration.

Reacting to the claims, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, urged Akintola to be guided by the teachings of the Qur'an and the Hadith in his public engagements with the state government.

"We believe Professor Akintola acted on misinformation or he is actively an agent of misinformation," Alimi said in a statement issued on Saturday.

The commissioner described Governor Adeleke as "a strong believer who relates well with people of all faiths," adding that the administration had appointed qualified Muslims to strategic positions in government in line with the inclusive leadership principles exemplified by Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

"For the record, Governor Adeleke appointed Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye as Secretary to the State Government and Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, a student of Sheikh Kamaludeen Al-Adabiyy in Ilorin, as Chief of Staff," he said.

Alimi further noted that the governor's spokesperson was "a known Mallam of Tijaniya extraction," while he himself, as Commissioner for Information, was "a deep Muslim of Al-Adabiyy extraction."

"Several other Muslims are also serving as commissioners and heads of agencies, alongside qualified appointees of other faiths," he added.

The government also cited initiatives it said reflected Adeleke's support for the Muslim community.

"This administration commenced construction of the Osun Hajj Camp, ending Osun's status as the only Southwest state without one. The governor also approved a mosque in the Government House for Muslim staff," the statement said.

The Commissioner urged Akintola to verify information before making public pronouncements.

"We urge Professor Akintola to verify facts before going public, as admonished in Qur'an 49:6," he said.

He added that the administration should be assessed on measurable performance indicators rather than religious sentiments.

"He should also assess government performance using verifiable data on budget execution, debt management by the DMO, and healthcare, where Osun was rated best in the Southwest for primary healthcare in 2024 and 2025.

"Elections should be about jobs, security, infrastructure, healthcare and education, not identity politics," Alimi said.

The state government further alleged that MURIC's criticisms were politically motivated.

"Rather than feign his political attack with religious coloration, Professor Akintola should be courageous to declare his partisan interest in the opposition APC and stop using religion to do hatchet job politics," the statement added.

Alimi challenged MURIC to condemn alleged attacks on residents by individuals linked to the opposition.

"We challenge MURIC to openly condemn the shooting of law-abiding residents, Muslims and non-Muslims, by APC thugs in branded APC campaign vehicles in Ile-Ife, Akoda, Owode-Ede and Osogbo, to disprove the allegation that he's been paid by the opposition to attack Governor Ademola Adeleke," he said.

The Commissioner also questioned MURIC's silence over allegations surrounding the identity of the Osun APC governorship candidate.

"Rather than spreading baseless misinformation, we are also of the opinion that MURIC should be more interested in cases like the sudden addition of 'Munirudeen' to the names of the Osun APC governorship candidate, a name which was missing from his primary, secondary and university certificates," Alimi stated.

He maintained that the Adeleke administration remained committed to serving all residents of Osun State irrespective of religious affiliation.

"We expect MURIC to judge this administration by its record of service to all citizens, Muslim and non-Muslim alike," the statement concluded.

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